Wordless Wednesday

Linked to another wordless Wednesday.

After the Storm

This was the view out my windshield today on the trip to my favorite quilt shop.   You can't get there from here so the route is all snow-covered back roads.... typical of this area, but always worth it in the scenic department.   4WD is a must!

Winter Fairyland

What a difference a day makes ~ in the weather, that is!   I was ice skating yesterday on clear ice all over the lake.   Today I am sledding down the driveway in 8" of fresh powder.  Schools are closed and roads are unplowed so we are making the best of it.... and enjoying it fully!  So happy I don't have to go anywhere!

Enjoy Winter

With such an unusually mild winter here.... so far.... I decided to put my summertime thinking chair back on our little covered porch today.  It's a lovely place to have a cup of coffee and listen to the woodsy world wake up in the morning.  I have a 3/4 length down coat that keeps me cozy.  Notice the beady little eyes watching out the door.... my corgi, Sadie, doesn't like to miss out on anything.

Yesterday my husband put up this feeding tray for the birds outside my kitchen window.  It is fun to watch them come so close.  The ever-faithful chickadees and nuthatches have visited already.  The squirrels aren't a bit shy.  I am hoping for blue jays and cardinals, but I expect we will need some foul weather to bring them in.

And to round out a perfect winter day there is nothing like a fresh pie.  This time I used apples, pears and cranberries.... a wonderful combination!  I add cinnamon and nutmeg to this pie.  Try it!

Father Time

The month of December 2011 left us with almost no snow which is most unusual for us here in the northwest corner of  the lower peninsula of Michigan.  I had a couple of days of nice ice skating on the lake and now we are getting some real snow today.  Predictions are for up to 20" but we will see. 

Regardless of the forecast, I got extra grocery staples just in case.   The wood is stacked in case power goes out and we lose heat from the furnace.  Bird feeders are full as are the squirrel stashes.  Most importantly, perhaps, I organized the garage this morning so I could get my car inside.  That meant moving my pack and ship table, sorting items to be listed in my Etsy shop, loading the recyclables and Goodwill drop off items into my car.

I feel ready for anything now.   I think I'll curl up with a book and let it snow!

Here is a 1909 postcard from my collection.  Happy New Year!

Christmas Away from Home

This lovely poinsettia tree greeted us in the Fort Myers, Florida, airport.

We rented a lovely home in Venice with a pool and an excellent location between the beach and downtown shops and restaurants... all within walking distance.  Here are my son and granddaughter enjoying the pool.

We spent a day visiting a friend who spends winters in Florida.  Here is my husband getting acquainted with the egret who regularly visits my friend's deck overlooking the intercoastal waterway.  Across the water we had lunch in Cortez, an older working fishing village with every kind of luscious sea creature available for purchase in the market. 

The unexpected bonus for me was a free daily yoga class on Venice Beach.   I attended every day.... it was rejuvenating!  We had a lovely holiday week with family and friends in a beautiful, friendly community.  Hope your holiday was special, too.

Cookie Baking

I love my granddaughter's intensity in her first serious stint at making rolled and cut cookies at Nonna's house!  Her attention span was greater than I anticipated for a 2 yr. 9 mo. old.   She spent the weekend with me and when her parents came for supper and to take her home, we all enjoyed frosting and decorating!

 Ernie, Bert and Emily loving the snow globe music box....  we played it again and again.... and again!

Hope you are having a joyful and peaceful holiday!   And Happy Solstice, too!  Longer days will be here soon.